Phil Rosenthal on why ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ is about more than ‘just a guy going around eating things’ [Exclusive Video Interview]

On his long-running Netflix travel series “Somebody Feed Phil,” Emmy-winning writer and producer Phil Rosenthal (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) travels the globe, eating great food and talking with interesting people. It’s a seemingly simple concept that has become the longest running unscripted series in Netflix history. But Rosenthal argues that the show, now in its seventh season, is about more than “just a guy going around eating things.”

“I’m just using food and my stupid sense of humor to get you the real message,” he says in a recent chat with Gold Derby (watch the exclusive video interview above). “I think the world would be better if we could experience a little bit of other people’s experiences.”

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This concept is exemplified in this season’s Washington D.C. episode, which feature a rare moment of bipartisanship: a meal between Rosenthal, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Rosenthal describes how taken aback he was when the politicians told him that they felt bipartisanship was the nation’s number one issue. “Of course that’s the biggest problem because we won’t solve any of the other ones unless we have a semblance of bipartisanship,” he says. “We’re in a world where we have to say the very obvious.”

The idea of bringing people together through food is seen in an episode filmed in Dubai, a predominantly Muslim nation. Rosenthal joined thousands of Muslims eating in the streets as they broke the Ramadan fast. “It doesn’t matter what your religion or belief is. This transcends that,” he argues. “It becomes this human tidal wave of love and devotion, all participating in one thing in peace.”

Another highlight for Rosenthal was an episode filmed in Kyoto, Japan. Rosenthal had only been to Japan once before, but this experience left a huge impact on him. “I swear what I said on the show is true. I got a little sad my first day there because I was so taken with it immediately,” he says. “It’s so beautiful and I’m so proud of our guys who filmed the show because they really did capture the exquisiteness of the place.”

Coming off such a hit like “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Rosenthal said that it took him nearly a decade to get “Somebody Feed Phil” on the air. “You know the business. They’re not thrilled for you to change lanes. And God, put this face on camera?” he jokes. “Ten years. And I say to you, ask me if it was worth it. Yes, because look at me now.”

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